I want to upgrade my dac.
- Thread starter steve59
- Start date
GSOphile
Active member
I
If you can hear 11K Hz, you aren't missing much. There's MUCH more to DAC sound quality than reproduced sound above 10K.
Dizzie
Well-known member
What is your budget for a DAC aside from the required additional power cord and digital interconnect? Can a C49 handle the DACII module? I am not sure that is a worthwhile move but it would be the least expensive. I would tend to go with an external DAC.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I tend to agree with GSophile, it seems we should be able to appreciate the improvements within the range we do hear.
The dealer should be willing to put his DAC where your money is, I mean, have him lend you something so you can hear a comparison. That's the only way you will know. Or, if the dealer has your preamp go in and do some listening, experimenting.
In my case the 526 is a very good preamp, they included a capable DAC. In my opinion it should have been better. I ended up spending the money for an external DAC. Now McIntosh may have an entirely different allocation of expense to go into the preamp and included an excellent DAC. In, addition, I fully believe in having the best source I can. Others feel any ole DAC will do, 1's & 0's etc.
Hope my rambling helped some, LOL
With all that being said you may be satisfied where you are at and not interested in spending more money no matter the result.
The dealer should be willing to put his DAC where your money is, I mean, have him lend you something so you can hear a comparison. That's the only way you will know. Or, if the dealer has your preamp go in and do some listening, experimenting.
In my case the 526 is a very good preamp, they included a capable DAC. In my opinion it should have been better. I ended up spending the money for an external DAC. Now McIntosh may have an entirely different allocation of expense to go into the preamp and included an excellent DAC. In, addition, I fully believe in having the best source I can. Others feel any ole DAC will do, 1's & 0's etc.
Hope my rambling helped some, LOL
With all that being said you may be satisfied where you are at and not interested in spending more money no matter the result.
steve59
Member
- Thread Author
- #5
This dealer is telling me he has nothing that I'd be able hear any reliable difference in. When I've taken speaker wire home there's been occasions when I could hear a slight difference, but not enough to pick a favorite, so if all dac's sound tonally similar enough I'd likely buy the cheaper one, but if a dac offered improved resolution, tighter image placement I'd pay up or buy used.
GSOphile
Active member
I would suggest you look for a dealer (or an audio friend) who will loan you an external DAC in your price range that he recommends. If your system is sufficiently balanced and resolving, I suspect you will hear a significant difference. Will the difference be enough to your liking for you to buy? Dunno. Is an upgraded DAC the best component upgrade for your system today? Dunno. Your ears, your preferences, your money.
FWIW,
I have what many here would consider a modest system. I noticed a very nice difference going to an external DAC. I only play CDs. I had an all-in-one, which died after many years. I realized that I didn't want moving parts with my DAC... So then picked up the same co's DAC and a separate CD transport. The improvement was not subtle. I'm 60 and my ears are probably like yours or maybe worse. Not sure of your budget.
I agree with all of the above to try a few out to see if it's worth it.
I have what many here would consider a modest system. I noticed a very nice difference going to an external DAC. I only play CDs. I had an all-in-one, which died after many years. I realized that I didn't want moving parts with my DAC... So then picked up the same co's DAC and a separate CD transport. The improvement was not subtle. I'm 60 and my ears are probably like yours or maybe worse. Not sure of your budget.
I agree with all of the above to try a few out to see if it's worth it.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
Seems if the dealer doesn't have anything better and you aren't missing anything when listening then table the idea. If not, I'd recommend an audition first or buy with a return window.
I would expect a DAC to better yours will not be cheap.
steve59
Member
- Thread Author
- #9
There's a song that I've played many times but recently the drum beats caused a static like distortion to come from the woofers of my speakers. first thing I did was swap out speakers but the distortion remained. I'm streaming and at least need to try a different unit to eliminate the dac as the problem. I will admit I was surprised when he (dealer) told me stepping up to the dac2 wouldn't make a difference.
Other options if a dealer won't lend you a DAC is to buy a DAC where they have a very good return policy.
This AVA (Van Alstine) DAC's is one of the best I have heard. It has a 3D holographic sound with a huge sound stage. I reviewed it for the company on the AC forum. They have a 30 day, no questions asked and no restocking fee return policy.
This AVA (Van Alstine) DAC's is one of the best I have heard. It has a 3D holographic sound with a huge sound stage. I reviewed it for the company on the AC forum. They have a 30 day, no questions asked and no restocking fee return policy.
"DVA Digital Preamplifier" DAC – Audio by Van Alstine
The DVA Digital Preamplifier is easily the best DAC that AVA has ever produced — and is quite possibly the best anywhere. So, if it's a DAC, why are we calling it a "digital preamplifier"? The DVA Digital Preamplifier is a DAC with a variable output level. This means it can be connected directly...
avahifi.com
crwilli
Well-known member
Amplifying the input from others.
Maybe find another dealer you can establish another relationship with?
You need to hear other products, either in a showroom or ideally, in your room. Only you can decide if something sounds better and is in your budget.
The suggestion to buy a product with a return policy is also a good one.
Maybe find another dealer you can establish another relationship with?
You need to hear other products, either in a showroom or ideally, in your room. Only you can decide if something sounds better and is in your budget.
The suggestion to buy a product with a return policy is also a good one.
For context:
My CD player journey went (over the past 30 yrs):
Marantz CD63
Cary CD303
Primaluna CD player (forgot the model#. Tubes galore).
to now
TEAC 507T transport
Primaluna EVO 100 DAC (I can't help but love tubes).
Cardas Clear cable between
My CD player journey went (over the past 30 yrs):
Marantz CD63
Cary CD303
Primaluna CD player (forgot the model#. Tubes galore).
to now
TEAC 507T transport
Primaluna EVO 100 DAC (I can't help but love tubes).
Cardas Clear cable between
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W9TR
Active member
Was your dealer referring to an upgrade of the internal McIntosh DAC module from DAC 1 to DAC 2? Or was he referring to an upgrade to any external DAC?
If the former, I’d say he’s on target. If the latter then I would seek out a dealer or friend willing to lend you a state-of-the-art DAC.
Your dealer is right.
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Mr Peabody
Well-known member
Tidal no longer has MQA. I doubt the Node will show any improvement. Streaming takes a nice step up when moving to Aurender or Lumin, etc. That's like moving from Mid-fi to the "real deal".
The distortion you are getting could be several things, even a bad cable or connection.
mep
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2013
- Messages
- 5,296
From Google AI:
No, Tidal officially dropped MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) and 360 Reality Audio formats in July 2024, replacing them with true lossless FLAC (for stereo) and Dolby Atmos (for immersive audio) to provide genuine high-resolution and spatial audio. While some users report that older MQA tracks might still be present or replaced by lower-quality FLAC in some cases, Tidal's stated goal and implementation is to offer lossless FLAC where possible, removing the proprietary MQA encoding entirely from their platform for a more transparent high-quality experience.
steve59
Member
- Thread Author
- #20
I'm not arguing that as I've been a roon and tidal subscriber since at least 2019, I'm saying there's several bluesound users, bluesound of the lembrook group, the group that also bought mqa that have been telling on their screen mqa recordings are still showing up.
So after explaining why I'm saying the opposite of what we all know to be true, I was on the bluesound app yesterday and while there were titles with mqa designations, I didn't see any with resolution above 44.1.
So after explaining why I'm saying the opposite of what we all know to be true, I was on the bluesound app yesterday and while there were titles with mqa designations, I didn't see any with resolution above 44.1.